£13.3m motorists risk driving with bad eyesight

New research has revealed that 13.3 million motorists who need glasses or contact lenses drive without them.

Published:13:00Saturday 23 April 2016

New research has revealed that 13.3 million motorists who need glasses or contact lenses drive without them.

Such risky driving increases the risk of an accident four-fold and drivers risk invalidating their insurance, a £1,000 fine or could face prison if they cause a fatal accident due to defective vision.

The research, by Direct Line Car Insurance, found that 37 per cent of motorists claim they haven’t had a vision test in the past two years or more, despite good eyesight being a basic requirement of safe driving.

According to the latest government data, 260 accidents in 2014 were caused by uncorrected, defective eyesight – nine of which were fatal accidents and 56 of which were serious.

The study highlights that it’s the short journeys to the doctors or supermarket where motorists are taking the most risks by driving with bad eyesight.

Within the last year, 26 per cent of motorists have popped somewhere ‘local’ without their glasses or contact lenses, compared to 15 per cent who didn’t wear them on a long distance journey (over 50 miles).

Almost one in 10 (nine per cent) have not worn their glasses or contacts when taking their children to and from school.

Gus Park, director of motor at Direct Line said: “Having good eyesight is a basic requirement of safe driving but our research shows that many motorists are driving without their glasses or contact lenses.

“Given that a person’s eyesight can change a significant amount in as little as six months or a year, we recommend motorists have their eyes tested at least every two years3 to make sure they remain safe on the road and reduce the risk of road accidents.”

According to the most recent government data, 260 accidents in 2014 were caused by uncorrected, defective eyesight – nine of which were fatal accidents and 56 of which were serious. If a UK driver has been involved in an accident they could face up to 14 years imprisonment if they cause death due to dangerous or careless driving5 as a result of bad eyesight.

Park continued: “Driving with poor eyesight is illegal and can be as dangerous as drink driving. If caught, you risk invalidating your insurance, receiving a fine and in some cases, risk imprisonment.

“Remember also, that if your eyesight is below decimal 0.5 (6/12) measured on the Snellen scale, or you have an eye condition such as cataracts, you will have to inform the DVLA. Drivers must also be able to read a car number plate from 20 meters - if you are asked to read one and cannot, your licence may be revoked and you could be prosecuted.”

The research found men are more likely to not wear their glasses or contacts when driving (40 per cent) along with those aged 18 to 34 (60 per cent).